Dirt calculator for Wyoming
Estimate fill dirt for low areas, excavations, and grading in cubic yards or tons, with settlement included.
Enter your project dimensions
As loose fill settles, it can drop 10-15% in height. If you order only for the space you measured, the first hard rain may leave the area an inch or two low. That is why this calculator has a 10% settling allowance turned on. Dry fill dirt weighs roughly 2,400 lb per cubic yard, or 1.2 tons, and is sold by the yard. Use topsoil instead for areas meant to support growth, as covered in the separate topsoil calculator.
How to measure a fill job
- Measure the deepest and shallowest parts of an uneven low area, average them, then multiply that depth by the area's length and width in feet.
- For a trench or hole, measure the empty space in feet and multiply length, width, and depth.
- Convert the cubic feet by dividing by 27 for yards or multiplying by 1.2 for tons, and keep the settling allowance enabled.
Tons = cubic yards × 1.2 · +10% for settling is on by default
Coverage and weight
| Material | Weight per cubic yard | Tons per yard |
|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt (dry) | ≈ 2,400 lb | 1.20 |
| Fill dirt (wet) | up to 3,000 lb | 1.50 |
| Topsoil, for comparison | ≈ 2,200 lb | 1.10 |
| Depth of fill | 1 cubic yard covers | 5 yards cover |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 810 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 405 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 270 sq ft |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft | 135 sq ft |
Typical fill projects and yard estimates
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raise a low lawn area | 20 x 20 ft | 4" | 4.9 yd³ | 5.9 tons |
| Level a settled depression | 15 x 15 ft, avg 6" | 6" | 4.2 yd³ | 5 tons |
| Backfill a utility trench | 25 ft x 2 ft | 18" | 2.8 yd³ | 3.3 tons |
| Build a landscape berm | 20 x 6 ft | 12" | 4.4 yd³ | 5.3 tons |
| Backfill along a foundation | 60 ft x 2 ft | 10" | 3.7 yd³ | 4.4 tons |
Understanding fill dirt and when not to use it
Fill dirt is the mineral subsoil below the active topsoil layer, screened to take out debris and rock. Its low organic content matters because organic material breaks down and settles, while structural fill needs to keep its grade. Use it for berms, trench backfill, filling holes, and changing grades. For grass or vegetables, place 4 to 6 inches of topsoil on top of the fill. Save topsoil for the growing layer, not the structural layer below.
Plan for settling before you order
Settlement often explains why a hole needs another load of dirt. Place the material in 6 to 8 inch lifts, compacting each layer. At a minimum, soak each lift and allow it to settle. For lawn patches, leave about a half-inch above grade so the surface settles even. Fills beneath slabs or footings need an engineer's compaction specification, thinner lifts, and equipment. Keep wood and other organic debris out, since buried material can decay into a sinkhole after a five-year delay.
How wet conditions affect fill orders
Moisture raises the weight of fill, not the amount of space it occupies, so the order quantity remains unchanged. It can affect the work schedule. Wet material tends to smear rather than compact, and moving it by wheelbarrow is unpleasant, so schedule for dry weather when possible. Keep the pile on high ground, and cover it when storms are expected to get back to spreading it sooner.
Fill dirt answers for common jobs
How much fill dirt do I need?
How heavy is a yard of fill dirt?
What does fill dirt mean?
How are fill dirt and topsoil different?
How do I calculate dirt for a hole?
Where do I get fill dirt?
How much dirt fits in a dump truck?
Should fill dirt be compacted?
Other calculators
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Fill dirt for backfill and grading, delivered across Wyoming.
